OCALA, Fla. — The CEP Equine Initiative, presented by Pyranha Animal Health, will launch its Horse Capital Equine Industry Coloring Book program in partnership with Marion County Public Schools on Thursday, Aug. 20.
The official launch event is scheduled for 8:30 am at Reddick-Collier Elementary School in Reddick.
Nearly 20,000 coloring books will be distributed to Pre-K through second-grade students at Marion County public elementary schools.
The program is part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the CEP Equine Initiative and Marion County Public Schools, created to introduce young students to educational and career opportunities in the local equine industry.
Moonshadow, a miniature therapy horse featured on the coloring book cover, will deliver the first shipment of books to students at Reddick-Collier Elementary School, located at 4595 W. County Road 316. The launch event will also include a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the program and the organizational partnership.
Students receiving the books will be invited to participate in a countywide coloring competition, with selected entries receiving gift card prizes. The publication introduces students to various industry professions, including veterinarians, trainers, farriers, photographers, marketers, broadcasters, and business professionals.
The educational initiative highlights an industry that serves as a major economic driver for the region. Marion County’s equine industry contributes more than $4 billion annually to the local economy.
The distribution of nearly 20,000 coloring books will continue across Marion County public elementary schools during the first weeks of the school year, followed by the countywide student coloring competition.
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